HPP Zvornik’s green electricity generation hits daily record as capacity is increased by 15 MW

Two revitalized units of hydroelectric power plant (HPP) Zvornik have been officially put into operation, in what increased the plant’s installed capacity by 15 MW and its life expectancy by 40 years.

The well-executed overhaul was demonstrated by the fact that on the first day of the modernized A2 unit’s test run, Zvornik reported a record-breaking daily electricity generation since its commissioning 63 years earlier. Four Zvornik units produced 2,619 MWh in a single day, beating the previous daily generation record of 2,500 MWh.

Zvornik is operated by public power utility ElektroprivredaSrbije (EPS), whose acting director Milorad Grčić said that the overhaul of the third generator at the plant started a few weeks ago.

“If everything goes as planned modernization of all four units will be completed by the end of 2019, with their total installed capacity to increase by 30%, to a total of 125.6 MW,” Grčić said as the revitalized units A1 and A2 went on stream.

He noted that the additional electricity output by hydroelectric power plants is of great importance, since power generated from water is more profitable than the energy generated by thermal power plants, while it is also ecologically cleaner and green.

The units’ modernization project is financed by a loan worth a total of EUR 70 million, provided by German development bank KfW, while the main contractor is Voith Hydro.

Voith Hydro CEO Leopold Heninger said that the project at Zvornik helped demonstrate the contractor’s expertise. He expressed gratitude for the good cooperation to Serbian companies participating in the works, such as Elektromontaža, ELNOS, InstitutMihailo Pupin, and Institut Nikola Tesla. The total value of the works done by domestic companies is EUR 17 million.

Projects for HPPs on rivers Velika Morava and Ibar

Minister of Mining and Energy Aleksandar Antić said that after the Zvornik revitalization, the plant’s life expectancy has been extended by 40 years.

“Our plans are very enthusiastic. At HPP Đerdap 1 we are launching the revitalization of the fifth aggregate, and at HPP Zvornik we are moving on. There is a number of projects for the construction of HPPs on rivers Velika Morava and Ibar, with installed capacities of 150 and 120 MW,” the minister noted.

It was said that Germany invested EUR 1.8 billion in the Serbian economy since 2000, of which two-thirds in the energy sector.

“Our joint engagement in this field is contributing to Serbia’s path to the EU,” said German Ambassador to Serbia Axel Dittmann.